At a glance
21 June
Same date every year, whatever day of the week it falls on.
0€
All City of Athens events are free.
All day
In 2025 the first events started at 10:00 and the last ones at 21:00.
23 minutes
On foot from Ioulianou 50 to Fokionos Negri, one of the stages.
What the Fête de la Musique is
The idea is simple: one day a year, music goes out into the street and is free for everyone. It began in France in 1982 and today is celebrated in more than 120 countries. In Athens it is mainly supported by the City of Athens through its culture organisation (OPANDA), with its orchestras and bands, and every year others join in: the Ministry of Culture, cultural institutes, municipal markets and small shops.
The programme changes every year. In 2025 the City made it a two-day event together with International Yoga Day: a morning party on Fokionos Negri and an afternoon one in Rizari Park, the City's Big Band in the National Garden, a tribute to the music of Greek cinema, and the youth orchestra Camerata Junior in Mitropoleos Square. In 2023 the ERT National Symphony Orchestra played for free at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and DJs threw a party at the Kypseli Municipal Market.
Rodes at a European Music Day concert in Athens, June 2007.
Musicians on the steps of Plaka. On that day the centre fills with little stages like this.
Street music is part of Athens all year; on 21 June it becomes a celebration.
Photos: Badseed (CC BY-SA 3.0), dronepicr (CC BY 2.0), Klarqa (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
Where the events take place
The stages are spread across the city and change from year to year, but some places come back:
- Kypseli: Fokionos Negri and the Kypseli Municipal Market, the stages closest to us. In 2025 the Fokionos Negri party was in the morning, at 10:00 and 12:00.
- National Garden: concerts in the greenery next to Syntagma, usually in the afternoon.
- Rizari Park, on Vasilissis Sofias: in 2025 there were parties here at 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00.
- Mitropoleos Square, in front of the Cathedral: classical music with youth orchestras.
The pedestrian street of Kypseli, 23 minutes from Ioulianou 50.
Plenty of room to stand and benches in the shade.
The trees keep it cool even in June.
Right on Fokionos Negri. In 2023 it hosted a DJ party.
In 2025 the City's Big Band played here.
On Vasilissis Sofias. In 2025 the parties here went on into the evening.
In 2025 the youth orchestra Camerata Junior played here.
Photos: C messier (CC BY-SA 4.0), DIMSFIKAS, Dimorsitanos (CC BY-SA 3.0), Jakub Hałun (CC BY 4.0), George E. Koronaios (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
How to get to Fokionos Negri
- Ioulianou 50 → 3is Septemvriou: walk east along Ioulianou and turn left onto 3is Septemvriou.
- 3is Septemvriou → Derigni → Patision: right onto Derigni and straight on to Patision.
- Patision → Kypselis: a few metres left on Patision, then right onto Kypselis.
- Eptanisou → Fokionos Negri: left onto Eptanisou, which brings you out on Fokionos Negri. The Municipal Market is on the pedestrian street, at number 42.
About 1.8 kilometres in total, 23 minutes. By taxi it's about 7 minutes.
🎶 From Ioulianou 50 to Fokionos Negri
About 1.8 km on foot. Tap the Municipal Market for the route in Google Maps.
Kathy's tip: the programme comes out on the OPANDA website a few days before. Start in the morning in Kypseli, right next to us, sit out the midday heat at home, and in the afternoon head down to the National Garden or the centre, where the concerts go on into the evening.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fête de la Musique?
Always on 21 June. In 2027 it falls on a Monday.
Do I pay to get in?
No. The City's events and most others are free.
Where can I find the programme?
On the websites of the City of Athens and OPANDA, a few days before. Venues and times change every year.
Which stage is closest to the apartments?
Kypseli, with Fokionos Negri and the Municipal Market, about a 23-minute walk.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The morning events in squares and parks are ideal for families.
— Kathy
